development cooperation
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GC: n

S: EC – https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/index_en (last access: 8 June 2024); ILO – https://www.ilo.org/partnering-development/development-cooperation (last access: 8 June 2024).

N: 1. – development (n): 1756, “a gradual unfolding, a full working out or disclosure of the details of something;” see develop + -ment. Meaning “the internal process of expanding and growing” is by 1796; sense of “advancement through progressive stages” is by 1836.

Of property, with a sense of “a bringing out of the latent possibilities” for use or profit, from 1885 (Pickering’s glossary of Americanisms, 1816, has betterments “The improvements made on new lands, by cultivation, and the erection of buildings, &c.”). Meaning “state of economic advancement” is from 1902.

– cooperation (n): “the act of working together to one end,” 1620s, from French coopération, or directly from Late Latin cooperationem (nominative cooperatio) “a working together,” noun of action from past-participle stem of cooperari “to work together,” from assimilated form of com “with, together” (see com-) + operari “to work,” from PIE root *op- “to work, produce in abundance.”

2. Development cooperation can be defined as an activity that meets the following four criteria:

  • Aims explicitly to support national or international development priorities;
  • Is not driven by profit;
  • Discriminates in favour of developing countries;
  • Is based on cooperative relationships that seek to enhance developing country ownership.

Under this definition, development cooperation (DC) is a broad category which could include a range of activities not explicitly the remit of most DC agents, such as aspects of international trade or climate negotiations focused on support for developing countries. It draws in a far wider group of actors than are traditionally associated with development cooperation – a good thing, but not easy to manage practically. Development cooperation is not only about transferring resources; it includes any measure specifically designed in favour of developing country development. For instance, the General System of Preferences (a discriminatory reduction of duties for products coming from developing countries) is DC.

3. Official development assistance (ODA) is defined as government aid that promotes and specifically targets the economic development and welfare of developing countries. The DAC adopted ODA as the “gold standard” of foreign aid in 1969 and it remains the main source of financing for development aid. ODA data is collected, verified and made publicly available by the OECD.

S: 1. Etymonline – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=development+cooperation (last access: 8 June 2024). 2. ECOSOC – https://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/newfunct/pdf15/2016_dcf_policy_brief_no.1.pdf (last access: 8 June 2024). 3. OECD – https://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainable-development/development-finance-standards/official-development-assistance.htm (last access: 8 June 2024).

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CR: development aid, empowerment, new global human order.